Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Student # 822336236
influenced by my religion. Islam is a complete way of life that also takes a holistic approach to
health. Although I commonly seek a cure through medical or surgical means, I still look to my
cultural and religious traditions to address social and spiritual problems. There are many
preventative measures that I use, these include; personal hygiene, dietary measures and avoiding
harmful addictive habits like smoking and alcohol.
I pray five times a day, before prayer I perform ablution which is washing the hands, face
(including; mouth, nose, ears and wiping the hair), arms and feet. This is a part of my daily
hygiene. Islamic dietary measures that I practice include the prohibition of eating pork and
alcohol consumption. Pigs harbor many harmful microorganisms that can cause disease in
humans. As for alcohol, it is well known that alcohol addiction is the leading cause of hepatitis
and liver failure. I am prohibited from intentionally harming myself, for example through
smoking or committing suicide because in Islam life is considered sacred and belongs to god.
I believe that the words of the Quran have a spiritual and emotional healing. I read the
Quran in times of illness or depression because it has comforting words and is a source of peace
and ease. (Matthews, 2000) demonstrates in his medical and scientific research that religious
commitments aid in the prevention and treatment of emotional disorders, disease and injury and
enhances recovery. Many hospitals in Canada provide a space for religious and spiritual practice,
and chaplains are often regarded as part of the healthcare team (Potter & Perry, 2009).
How I can improve my personal health practices
Today, we are sometimes so engaged in our daily lives and chores that we forget to take
care of ourselves and so there is always room for improving my health and well-being. I try to do
this by consuming healthier, more nutritious food. Junk food is so accessible that I sometimes
find it easy to go to a drive through and pick up a meal on the go. I try to make home cooked
meals as much as possible so that I can provide my family and myself with a more healthier
alternative. I would also like to be more active and exercise on a daily basis. I try to do this by
perceptions, decisions and how they relate to others. It influences the way they respond to
medical services and preventative interventions and impacts the way physicians deliver these
services (Sutton, 2000). It is easier for nurses to deal with patients if he/she understands their
culture.
Just from the previous brief comparison between two cultures, I see that as a healthcare
provider in a region like the Greater Toronto Area, I will encounter people of very different
backgrounds. All patients irrespective of their backgrounds should be treated with utter most
respect. As a nurse, I need to educate myself on how cultures respond to illness even if just
briefly. This will help me provide the holistic nursing which I believe in and it will have a
positive impact on my response to acts that might be foreign to me.
Having said that I have no doubt that throughout my career I will encounter many belief
systems that will oppose mine and might even offend me on a personal level. Not only that but I
will also encounter patients who might be offended or scared of my hijab (head cover) or faith.
Either way, it will be challenging to deal with these situations. As a nurse and an educator, I
need to educate myself as well as others on how to be culture sensitive and focus on the
healthcare being provided.
Conclusion
We often believe that illness is a result of a particular disease that affects our physical
well-being. However in the holistic nursing approach, as well as the Islamic view on health,
physical is not the only means to be ill, emotional and spiritual health is also taken into account.
The three parts are of equal importance. Culture dictates who we are and what our health beliefs
are, it controls how we react to illness and medical involvement. Hence it is very important that I
as a nurse be aware of different cultures and what their view on illness is, this will help me
provide a better, more effective healthcare.
References
Matthews, D. (2000). Is religion good for your health. God for the 21st century, 103.
Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2009). Canadian Fundamentals of Nursing. Toronto: Elsevier
Canada.
Quran, chapter 49, verse 13.
Sutton, M. (2000). Cultural Competence. Family Practice Management, 58.